Recent Additions: 2009-2012

MARY SIBANDE The Reign 2010 Fibreglass, iron and fabric Purchased with the assistance of the Friends of the National Gallery Iziko South African National Gallery Photograph by Iziko Museums’ photographer, Carina Beyer

The Permanent Collection of the Iziko South African National Gallery has grown in size and stature over a period of more than 140 years. The collection provides insight into the diversity of visual production from historical European to traditional and contemporary African and South African art, revealing shifts in emphasis over time.

‘Recent Additions: 2009-2012’showcases a selection of artworks in diverse media such as painting, work on paper, photography, sculpture and textiles, purchased for, or donated to, the Iziko South African National Gallery between 2009 and 2012. The purpose of acquiring artworks is not only to conserve a heritage reflective of the present human condition and society that may be appreciated and enjoyed by audiences both today and in the future; it is also about championing South African visual art practice through the purchase of artworks.

The art acquisition policy of Iziko Museums of South Africa considers the redress of historical omissions as imperative to the collection and also focuses strongly on the collecting of significant contemporary art from South Africa. There is an emphasis on steadily developing a collection that is representative of emerging, talented young artists.

This selection gives a glimpse of some noteworthy acquisitions including; Helmut Starcke’s Ritual (2011), Noria Mabasa’s Ndi Mukegulu a ne a khou thsimbila na vhaduhulu vhaue vhavhili / Grandmother and her two children (2008) and Christine Dixie’s That One Day (2000). Acquisitions made during this period also include The Reign (2010) by Mary Sibande, which can be seen elsewhere in the gallery, in the exhibition Dialogues: conversations between ‘old’ and ‘new’ .

Since funding for acquisitions remains limited, support is vital to growing the collection in a strategic and consistent manner. The collection has been generously augmented by individual donations, sometimes by artists themselves, and through the ongoing assistance of the Friends of the South African National Gallery. The Permanent Collection of the Iziko South African National Gallery has grown substantially from an initial bequest of 45 paintings of European art, presented in 1871 by Thomas Butterworth Bayley, to approximately 9500 works.

Iziko Museums of South Africa (Iziko) operates 11 national museums, the Planetarium, the Social History Centre and 3 collection specific libraries in Cape Town. The museums that make up Iziko have their own history and character, presenting extensive art, social and natural history collections which reflect our diverse African heritage. Iziko is a public entity and non-profit organisation which brings together these museums under a single governance and leadership structure. The organisation allows *free access to all individuals on commemorative days, as well as unlimited free access to individuals aged 18 and under (excluding the Castle of Good Hope and Planetarium).

COMMEMORATIVE DAYS – FREE ENTRANCE (excluding Iziko Planetarium and Castle of Good Hope)